Making Coffee with Electricity!

There is a large variety of coffee makers on the market today. When most people think of a coffee maker, they think of the common electric version. The coffee maker is plugged into an electric outlet and is run by electricity. This is the usual way to power a coffee maker these days because of the simplicity. Just plug it in, add water, coffee, and then push start. Much simpler than the old fashioned vacuum and stove top coffee makers from the past.

It can be hard to imagine not using an electric coffee maker. Many of us have grown up with them not knowing how hard it was to make coffee long ago. It used to take a lot of time to stand there by the stove and watch your coffee brew and make sure everything was going right. Lucky for us, we just have to push start and wait. The electricity heats the heating element which is in the water container. The water is heated to a specified temperature and then by gravity or a pump pushes the water over the ground coffee. The result is a nice, easy cup of coffee. This has a great advantage over stove top coffee makers as you don't have to worry about your coffee being too cold or so hot it takes the skin off of your tongue. Electric coffee makers don't use a ton of electricity so you won't even notice a change in your utility bills.

Electric coffee makers come in many different varieties. There is everything from a single cup coffee maker to a restaurant grade coffee maker that produces gallons at a time. By using electricity to heat the water, you are guaranteed the same temperature coffee every single time. Electric coffee makers also allow you to set a time for coffee to be brewed. This is handy for those of us on a tight schedule and don't want to waste time messing with the coffee maker in the morning. Simply set it up the night before and it will start your coffee before you even wake up.

Expensive models come with all sorts of special features. There are some that only brew one cup at a time but use special pods of high quality coffee and might even top them off with foam. Other models can have built in grinders, a storage area for extra coffee and water, or be combination machines that make espresso and cappuccino as well as normal coffee. You have so many options available, you really need to choose the coffee maker that is right for you. If you have a lot of coffee drinkers in your home, you might pick a large one. If you live alone, a single cup maker might be perfect.

You can find electric coffee makers pretty much everywhere. Every store that carries a coffee maker will have 99% electric coffee makers. Occasionally they will have some that don't use electricity, but these are either for professional coffee makers or campers.

Coffee Makers, it's a Big Business!

The average American drinks at least 3 cups of coffee every day and United States is a leading coffee consumer with Americans consuming about 400 million cups of coffee every year. It's no surprise that coffee makers are one of the most popular products. The Cowboy Coffee Pot of the 1800's has turned into the modern, sleek machines that cater to the appetites of today's coffee drinkers.

Coffee is big business. Some reports state that coffee sales are increasing 20 percent every year. Specialty coffee (cappuccino, latte, etc) accounts for at least 8 percent of all coffee sales.

Who's Using Coffee Makers These Days?

The average American is said to drink an average of three cups of coffee daily. The average number of sales in a drive through coffee shop each day is 200 to 300 cups. More than 50,000 coffee shops are expected to be open by 2010.
52 percent of American adults drink coffee. This translates to more than 100 million people drinking coffee every day. That's a lot of coffee makers. Women tend to drink coffee to relax while men tend to drink coffee when they're trying to get something done.

When are the most coffee makers in use? 65% of adults drink coffee with breakfast. 30 percent of Americans drink coffee between meals and about 5% drink coffee with meals. 35 percent of coffee drinkers prefer their coffee black. 65% add sugar and/or cream to customize their coffee experience.

More than 18 billion dollars are on coffee each year in the United States. McDonalds is reported to take in $51 million each day just in coffee sales.

Americans are drinking more and more specialty coffees. Many are purchasing coffee makers that allow them to brew specialty coffees at home. Coffee maker manufacturers have risen to the occasion, creating increasingly sleek styled machines that brew great coffee quickly and easily. Pod coffee makers are used frequently by coffee lovers who want to indulge at home instead of driving to the coffee shop.

Pod Single Cup Coffee Maker

For coffee lovers who prefer a fresh cup of coffee each and every time, a single serving coffee maker is ideal. Basic single serving coffee makers can be purchased for less than a hundred dollars. High end single serving machines can cost hundreds.

Pod coffee makers use premeasured coffee pods to make 8 ounces or less of coffee in less than one minute. There is no hassle. Users simply fill the reservoir with water, drop a pod into the pod spot and push a button.
Some pod coffee makers feature adjustable spouts so that different sized mugs can be used with the machine. Larger water reservoirs are also an added feature on some machines.

Pod Coffee Makers quickly and easily brew a cup of coffee in less than a minute. Prefilled pods make cleanup a breeze. Removable parts are often dishwasher safe and limited warranties are provided by most manufacturers.

Coffee is an American tradition. Those who love the beverage take their coffee drinking seriously. The availability of coffee makers that allow users to make specialty coffee at home has tremendously increased the coffee drinking population.

Bunn: Many Styles of Quality Coffee Makers

Bunn coffee makers are popular with devoted coffee drinkers. Bunn is a leading manufacturer of coffee makers and offers a variety of styles to fit the needs of any coffee drinker. In 1957, Bunn introduced the first paper coffee filter in 1957. Then, in 1963, they created the 'pourover' coffee brewer.

Automatic (coffee makers that connect to a water source) and manual (coffee makers that require reservoir filling before use) styles are available. Manual coffee makers are also called pourover coffee makers.

Bunn Airpot Coffee Maker: Coffee is brewed directly into an airpot. These machines do not contain warmers.

Bunn Drip Coffee Maker: Drip coffee makers deliver brewed coffee into glass carafes. A warmer beneath the carafe keeps coffee hot.

Bunn Liquid Coffee Maker: Liquid concentrate is used to brew coffee in these machines. They are especially used for brewing large quantities of coffee.

Bunn Pod Coffee Maker: This style brews a single cup of coffee each time. Pre-measured, prefilled pods are easy to use and make cleanup a breeze. These coffee makers are fast, brewing a fresh cup of coffee in under a minute.

Bunn Satellite Coffee Maker: These coffee makers are preferred for commercial use in offices, restaurants and locations needing larger quantities of coffee. Once brewed, the coffee is placed in carafes that sit on warmers to preserve heat.

Bunn Softheat Coffee Maker: These are used for brewing large amounts of coffee. The machine's heat control sensor shuts off automatically when the machine reaches the desired temperature. An included coffee grinder interface automatically dispenses amount of coffee needed.

Bunn Thermal Coffee Maker: This style of machine brews coffee into a thermal carafe. Coffee remains hot longer and tastes fresher.

Bunn Thermofresh Coffee Maker: Can be used for brewing large amounts of coffee. The machine is capable of storing coffee recipes, making it easy for coffee aficionados to brew their favorite coffees.

Bunn Urn Coffee Maker: Businesses and organizations use this coffee maker to brew enormous amounts of coffee (more than 11 gallons per hour).

Bunn Coffee Maker Special Features

Bunn coffee makers offer distinctive benefits, including patented reservoirs, a 3 minute brewing cycle and sprayhead to distribute water evenly over coffee grounds.

Patented reservoirs used in Bunn coffee makers feature that maintain a brewing temperature of 200 degrees, unlike conventional home coffee makers that heat water only until it boils high enough to reach the coffee basket.
The Bunn coffee maker 3 minute brewing cycle is not only fast, it reduces bitterness. Typical coffee makers continue brewing until all water is boiled away.

Unlike conventional coffee makers where water drips from the reservoir through the coffee, Bunn coffee makers contain a special sprayhead that exposes all of the coffee to water instead of just the area beneath the drip.

Bunn coffee makers can be found in homes, restaurants and businesses all over the United States. Many coffee lovers swear by Bunn machines and refuse to use any other coffee maker. The company offers a wide array of coffee maker styles to fit individual needs and budgets.

Coffee Makers: Centuries of Brewing!

Coffee beans have been an important part of human society for well over 1000 years. The first methods of brewing coffee were crude but they have advanced over the centuries. People used to just chew the cherry from the coffee bush to get a stimulant effect. Inside the cherry was the coffee bean. With experimentation, people started to roast and grind the beans for better flavor.

As early as the the late 1700s, coffee makers began showing up. This made it easy for people to brew coffee and not worry about getting grounds in their cup. This was expensive and not many people had them. The basic design is similar to coffee pots of today. There was a pot on the bottom with a place to put your ground coffee on the top. This was connected to a chamber on top where you poured in your boiling water.

People tried many different types of coffee maker throughout the years since then. There have been percolators, vacuum coffee makers, and drip coffee makers. Percolators use a pot over a heat source that forces the water into an upper chamber where the coffee grounds are. The water drips through the coffee and back into the lower pot. You know it is ready when it stops making percolating noises which are easy to hear. Then you remove it from heat before it boils. Vacuum coffee makers use what looks like two pots, one upside down on the other. As it is heated, the pressure forces hot water up into the top chamber where it infuses with the ground coffee. When you remove it from heat, the pressure is reversed and the coffee goes back to the lower pot ready to drink. Drip coffee makers are the kind we are all used to. Whether automatic or manual they work by dumping hot water over coffee grounds that sit in a filter. It strains through into a pot and is ready to drink.

With the introduction of electricity, coffee makers became very popular and a little cheaper. In the early 1900s coffee makers really started to boom and by the 1970s almost everyone had a coffee maker in their home. These were usually of the automatic drip variety as they were the easiest to use. Today's coffee makers have many features. They have timers that allow you to specify when you want your coffee maker to turn on, have built in grinders, storage areas, and much more. You can buy home espresso and cappuccino machines also. Coffee makers today range from the single cup variety to commercial units that make gallons at a time so no matter what your need, you can usually find it.

As more and more people start to enjoy different kinds of coffee, coffee makers become easier to use and offer more features. Many combine espresso, cappuccino, and coffee all in one machine but it is rather bulky still. Look for these to shrink in the near future.

Camping Trip Coffee Makers

Camping is an excellent hobby and a great pastime. It is relaxing to get in touch with nature and spend a few days in the wilderness enjoying nature. You can swim, fish, or just enjoy doing nothing. But just because you are camping doesn't mean you can't enjoy a great cup of coffee . There are a variety of different ways you can brew a cup or a pot of coffee while you are on a camping trip.

There is a large variety of coffee makers that are designed especially for camping. There are small ones that will make just one cup or large ones that will make many cups at once. It all depends on how much you want to pack in with you and how many people are going that will want coffee. The most common coffee makers for camping are of the manual drip variety as all you do is pour boiling water over your coffee while it sits in a filter. The filter sits in a holder and you just set the holder over your cup or mug. Other varieties might need to be set on a portable stove or set on ashes to boil the water. There are even some automatic drip coffee makers that have been designed for the camper who really wants that added convenience. These models are quite large and are not for the camper who is going to hike 10 miles for the perfect spot. They also require a camp stove.

Your best method for making coffee while camping would be a manual drip coffee maker that is specifically designed for camping. These come in a large assortment of shapes and sizes but are made to withstand uneven campfire heat. The best ones are made out of stainless steel or another fire resistant metal and have everything built in. They usually look like one coffee pot set upside down on another. You put your ground coffee in a filter in the middle of the unit and water in the bottom. You set it on the fire until you see steam and then you flip it over and set it somewhere cool. The flipping process lets the water slowly drain through the coffee grounds resulting in freshly brewed coffee for everyone.

The filter holder method works well also. You take a filter holder, put in a filter and add your coffee. Set it over your pot or cup and pour in boiling water. This is a great method if you don't need to brew a lot of coffee and don't want to pack around heavy equipment.

If you ask an experienced camper or visit a specialized camping store, you will be able to find out which type of coffee maker might be the best for your next camping trip. There are many to choose from so you can decide on what will be the best for you. Retail stores usually have a camping aisle so you can browse around next time you are doing some shopping there.

History of Coffee Vending Machines

As early as the 1960's coffee vending machines started to appear at airports, hotels, and many businesses around the world especially in the United States. The first coffee vending machines used dehydrated ingredients and combined them with water then added a certain amount of cream and sugar. There weren't a lot of options. Today, coffee vending machines can make you espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate, soup, tea, and many other beverages.

Coffee vending machines are very useful for many reasons. You don't need an employee to run them, you can put them anywhere, the ingredients aren't too expensive, and they make quite a bit of money in a good location. Coffee vending machines can make from 100 to 600 cups of coffee before you are required to refill the cup dropper. This is what drops the cup down before the coffee or beverage of your choice is dispensed into it. The coffee vending machines usually use one size cup that is around 8 ounces. The cups are recyclable and quality made to simulate a cup you would receive at a coffee shop.

Many new coffee vending machines have a very stylish look as opposed to the big square boxes of the 80's and 90's. They don't take up very much room, produce a high quality product, and can make the owner a nice amount of money every month.

Espresso and cappuccino are becoming more and more popular and thanks to places like Starbucks, more people like them and know what they want to order. Many of the newer coffee vending machines let you pick and choose what type of espresso and cappuccino you want. You can also get lattes and mochas of many varieties.

There are many ways you can purchase a coffee vending machine. Most machines will have a phone number or other information so you can call the manufacturer. The easiest way is to use the Internet. There are tons of companies that sell coffee vending machines and will offer you low payment plans and many other deals that you mind find appealing.

Coffee vending machines are a great way for someone who wants to make a little extra income without doing much work. When used in conjunction with pastry and soda machines, if you have a large amount of coverage, you might not need a full time job at all! This is also great for retired people who want a little extra money each month. Some of the newer machines cost about $1.00 for the ingredients per cup and will make you about $2.50. Of course, wherever you place them will demand a percentage but that can be easy to work out.

Coffee vending machines have been around for over 50 years and chances are they will continue to be refined and upgraded. This ensures the busy employee or traveler that they will always be able to grab a cup of coffee even if there aren't people there to make it.

Coffee Makers: Important Terms

Coffee has a language all its own. Here are a few of the frequently used coffee maker terms.

• Auto Frother: machine that froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
• Automatic Drip Coffee Maker: coffee maker that automatically heats water and filters it through the coffee.
• Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: an espresso machine featuring controllable, programmable coffee dosing.
• Bean to Cup: fully automated coffee making process. Machines with bean to cup capability do everything from grinding the beans to filling a cup with coffee.
• Boiler: steam machine inside coffee maker. Machines with larger boilers usually are more powerful and produce more hot water for beverages.
• Boiler Element: electric element that heats boiler in electric espresso coffee makers.
• Cappuccino: Italian espresso based beverage.
• Cup Warmer: metal portion at top of espresso coffee maker where cups are placed for warming.
• Dosing: refers to either the number of grams of coffee per cup or the amount of brewed coffee per cup.
• Drip Tray: Part of espresso coffee maker where coffee cup sits for filling.
• Espresso: Italian black coffee which preceded specialty coffees. Rich black coffee.
• Filter Basket: Metal filter where grounds are placed for brewing.
• Filtered Method: process of brewing coffee with a filter, coffee is separate from the water.
• French Press: aka plunger pot. A cylindrical coffee maker in which ground coffee is steeped then filtered. Coffee grounds are pushed to the bottom of the pot with the plunger. Coffee stays in the top of the pot.
• Fully Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machines which automatically manage the brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee.
• Grind: process of preparing coffee beans for coffee brewing.
• Group: Portion of espresso coffee maker that brews coffee.
• Group Handle: Portion of espresso coffee maker that holds the filter basket that ground coffee goes into.
• Heat Exchanger: heats water for coffee without taking water from the boiler.
• Hopper: portion of grinder that holds coffee beans.
• French Press coffee maker:
• Knock-out Box: container used to knock the used coffee grounds from group handle.
• Latte: Hot beverage made with one quarter coffee, three quarters of steamed, hot milk with little froth.
• Mocha: term used to describe hot beverage made from espresso, chocolate and milk.
• Moka Pot: Classic Italian espresso-maker used on top of the stove.
• Percolator: coffee maker that continuously runs water through the coffee grounds to make coffee.
• Pod: a self-contained, single serving unit of ready to use coffee.
• Pour/Pour Speed/Pour Time: the amount of time required to pour coffee from group into cup. Should be 25 to 30 seconds for espresso.
• Pump: device that moves water through the coffee maker.
• Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine without pre-set dosing capability.
• Steam Arm/Wand: metal tube delivering steam to froth milk.
• Super Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine which automatically manages brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee in addition to other features such as a water filter.
• Tamping: act of pressing ground coffee into filter basket.
• Vacuum coffee maker: machine using vacuum process to make coffee.
• Traditional espresso coffee maker: machine that is not a bean to cup automated model.
• Water Filter: filters contaminants from water for better coffee taste.
• Water Font: nozzle used to dispense water from machine boiler.
• Water Softener: filters lime and minerals from water, preventing build up of scales in the coffee maker. This is a must have for anyone using hard water.

Low Price Coffee Makers

Some coffee makers can often be expensive depending on the brand and included features. There are many models that cost over $150.00 and don't seem to do more than a normal coffee maker. If you are on a budget or just like to live frugally, you might consider a low price coffee maker. A low price coffee maker usually doesn't have many bells and whistles but for someone who just wants a regular cup of coffee, could be a good option.

low price coffee makers are usually of the automatic drip variety. You pour your water in, add a coffee filter, then dump in some ground coffee. All that's left to do is turn it on and walk away. low price coffee makers sometimes come with a timer but sometimes not. A low price coffee maker won't make you espresso or cappuccino and usually have little or no options when it comes to changing the flavor or strength of your coffee. The only way to change the taste is to put in more or less ground coffee.

Just because you decide to buy a low price coffee maker doesn't mean you can't have a good cup of coffee however. If you go to your supermarket, there is usually an aisle dedicated to coffee. In this aisle, you can find all types of different coffee flavors that might appeal to you. Sometimes they will have a large machine where you can pick the type of coffee you want and have it ground to your specifications. By using this fresh ground coffee, it can make even a low price coffee maker produce a very nice and flavorful cup of coffee.

You can find low price coffee makers in a number of places. A large retail store is usually a good bet as they start as low as $15.00 a lot of the time. Supermarkets and coffee specialty stores usually carry coffee makers but not the cheap kind. A great place to find a low price coffee maker is at a thrift store. You can usually find one for $5.00 or so and they work just fine. If the idea of using a second hand coffee maker isn't your thing, you could always try a website. There are many websites that sell coffee makers and often offer you free coffee or other deals. With websites you will need to check around as there are thousands of them.

Before you search for a low price coffee maker, you should know exactly what you are going to use it for as there are many types available. If you are looking to buy one for the workplace, it might be a good idea to get your employees opinion. If they want something fancy, have them all pitch in a few bucks and get something good. If nobody really cares, you might just bring an old one you have in your garage. It is hard to destroy a coffee maker so even the ugliest, dirtiest one can easily be cleaned up and used again and again.

Workplace Coffee!

Most people have a coffee maker of some sort at their job. This is a great idea because it lets all employees and managers alike have something in common and lets everyone have a break from work while they refresh their coffee cups. Coffee makers are used in office buildings, manufacturing plants, and almost every type of business there is from fast food to convenience stores. The office coffee maker is a place everyone can go and chit chat for a few minutes similar to a water cooler.

The usual office coffee maker is of the automatic drip variety and makes about 12 cups at a time. The funny thing is, 12 cups from a coffee maker means about 5 ounces per cup. Nobody drinks that little so you might as well assume one pot will serve 6 people. For a busy workplace you may need a larger coffee maker to accommodate everyone and might even decide to use a coffee vending machine. If this is owned and operated by the company, they may lower the prices so they don't make much profit. This will be made up with employee morale and productivity so it evens out.

Many people feel better and more alert after drinking coffee so naturally, a coffee maker in the workplace helps everyone. The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant and should help them feel that way. If your employee is alert, there is less chance of incomplete work and injuries as they should be paying more attention to the job at hand.

The type of coffee maker for the workplace will need to be discussed among all the coffee drinkers and if a fancy one is needed, everyone should help pay for it. A normal coffee maker costs between 10 to 40 dollars but fancy ones can be 60-90 dollars depending on the features. These higher priced coffee makers usually come with a foamer, grinder, or some other special feature that would cause the price to be so high. You may want to just get two cheaper ones as there is always someone who wants decaffeinated coffee and doesn't like to mix the two types of coffee in one pot.

If you work in a large manufacturing plant or industrial building, chances are you will have to walk a long way to get a cup of coffee. Many of these workplaces use strategically placed break rooms that will have an assortment of vending machines. One of those may be a coffee vending machine or there might be a coffee maker on the counter for employees in your area to use. Make sure you have someone clean it before you clock out or management may take it away. I have seen this happen before.

With espresso and cappuccino becoming very popular, you might have one of these machines in your workplace. They cater to certain people usually but many come with a normal coffee pot on one side. This can help balance out two distinct tastes and make more employees happy.

Coffee Makers: How Do They Work?

We all wake up in the morning and turn on the coffee maker to start the day. The only effort we need to put in when wanting to enjoy a cup of coffee is to add a couple scoops of coffee, add water and switch the machine on. Then wait for the coffee to finish before we can enjoy it. Think about it, have you ever stood there and tried to understand how the water gets from the compartment to the top of the machine? Have you ever wondered what that unusual gurgling sound was? Here is what goes on inside the coffee maker.

If you open the top of the coffee machine, you will find the bucket that holds the water when you pour it in before the cycle starts. If you look inside, you will find a hole in the bucket's bottom, and this will become clear to you very soon. You also see a tube, and the purpose of this tube is to carry the water to the area where it drips out. The drip area is the part you see from the top that contains all the tiny holes. This is where the water arrives from the tube and then simply drips through the tiny holes.

If you turn the bucket upside down, you will see another tube and this is called the hot-water tube. This tube (tube2) connects to the black tube (tube1) that you see when looking at it from the top. Remember the hole in the bottom of the bucket mentioned earlier? Well, this is where tube2 picks up the cold water - from that hole. Also visible inside are the power cord and the on and off switch of the machine.

Next is the heating element. This little part is what makes the water hot. The heating element is just a simple coiled wire. This is similar to filament in your standard light bulb or the element in your every morning toaster. The coil in the coffee maker is held firmly in plaster, and this makes it rugged. This element has two jobs.

• The heating element (or the coil) boils the water when it is put in the coffee maker.
• The element makes sure the coffee stays warm once the cycle is complete.

The heating element inside the coffee machine is pressed firmly against the warming plate. A heat conducting grease ensures that heat is transferred competently to the warming plate. The conducting grease is messy and is extremely difficult to get off yours hands. This grease can be found in power supplies, amplifiers - basically anything that squanders heat.

There is a part that's not visible in a coffee maker and this is the one-way valve. This valve can either be in that hole that was mentioned earlier or it could be in the heating pipe, and this pipe is aluminum. If a coffee maker had no one-way valve, the hot water would just flow back into the bucket after trying to make its way up the tube.

Coffee Makers: When You Want Just One Cup

People love coffee and buy large amounts of ground coffee or coffee beans every year. The problem with your average coffee maker though, is that it is designed to make ten to twelve cups of coffee per pot. This is great for the office or maybe a family, but a casual coffee drinker doesn't need all that coffee. With an average coffee maker, if you only drink one or two cups a day, you are throwing out between eight and ten cups. That's a awful lot of coffee! If you purchase a money saving large can of coffee, it will get stale after a while. These are all good reasons you might want a single cup coffee maker.

Single cup coffee makers are perfect for single people and those that just want a better cup of coffee than a normal coffee pot will allow. A single cup coffee maker gives you a higher quality cup of coffee because it was designed for just that. One premium cup of coffee. Other coffee makers will brew more at a time but they are designed for speed not quality.

Single cup coffee makers are a bit more expensive than multi-cup coffee makers. This is because normally the only coffee you can use in them is sold in "pod" form. This is basically a self contained package that has coffee inside little flat oval shaped filters. If you browse your retail aisles, you should be able to tell easily what sells and what doesn't. This is good to keep in mind so you don't buy a new coffee maker only to have it obsolete and useless in just a few months. There are a few name brands such as Senseo and Mr. Coffee that you can't go wrong with but you should definitely shop around and read some reviews and comparisons before making your purchase.

Each single cup coffee maker tends to be unique. Some will let you change the strength you desire or if you want four or eight ounces of coffee. Some will put foam or froth on top of each cup. There are many different options available to you.

There are many places you can purchase a single cup coffee maker. The most obvious choice is a retail store that has many different types lined up on a shelf. This lets you see what they look like, what they do, and what they offer. Appearance is important because if your entire kitchen has stainless steel appliances, a black plastic pot might not fit the theme of the kitchen. Price is always a factor because if something will do the exact same thing for $50.00 less, you might as well give it a shot and upgrade if necessary.

The only drawback to single cup coffee makers is that they only make one cup at a time. If you have many guests you will have to run back and forth, replace coffee pods, and make individual cups. The guests might appreciate the higher quality, so that is a choice you will have to make.

Automatic Drip Coffee Makers

Automatic Drip coffee makers are the most commonly used coffee makers in the United States and the world. They are simple to use and inexpensive. Available in a variety of styles, colors and sizes, there's a drip coffee maker to fit almost any kitchen. One study reported that automatic drip coffee makers are the most popular small kitchen appliance. Over 14 million automatic drip coffee makers are sold each and every year.

Mr. Coffee is one of the best known automatic drip coffee makers. Other well-known coffee maker companies include Black and Decker, Braun, Cuisinart, and Proctor-Silex.

Automatic drip coffee makers are used in many homes and businesses. They work by dripping water through a filter containing ground coffee. Two types of filters are available for these machines: paper and permanent.

Paper filters can affect coffee taste as can some plastic permanent filters. Plastic filters do not last as long as metal filters. Metal filters may require that coffee beans be ground a bit coarser than is needed for paper filters.

Automatic drip coffee makers offer a variety of special features. From basic machines to high end models that do everything from grinding the beans to brewing it at a preset time. Basic automatic drip coffee makers feature a water reservoir, a filter basket, and warming plate to keep carafe warm. Most feature filter baskets that swing out or lift out and simple on/off control.

Extra features include indicator lights, a brew-pause selection, digital display and /or digital control panel, clocks, timers, permanent filters an automatic shut off. High end features include water filtration, flavor settings, and a built in grinder. Single cup machines are available, as are machines making anywhere from 4 cups to 12 cups.

Drip Coffee Maker Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best temperature for brewing coffee?

Most experts agree that 200 degrees is the best temperature for brewing coffee. Many restaurants do not allow the temperature to get that high because of liability issues should a consumer spill coffee and get burned.

What affects the quality of a cup of coffee?

Several things can affect the quality of brewed coffee. The cleanliness of the brewing equipment, the quality of the coffee beans, how long it has been since the beans were roasted, how long it has been since the beans were ground and the quality of the water used in brewing.

How do I clean my coffee maker?

Coffee makers should be cleaned at least once a week. Some experts suggest using dish detergent and water. Other experts suggest running one fourth part vinegar and three fourths part water through the brewing cycle a time or two followed by running plain water through the cycle. This removes hard water deposits and other buildup.

Buying a Coffee Maker: Tips & Hints

Coffee makers have come a long way. From yesterday's cowboy pots slowly boiling coffee over the fire to today's elegant gourmet brewers, there's a coffee maker to fit any taste, any lifestyle, any budget and any counter space. So how do you begin finding the coffee maker of your dreams?

Before you head for the appliance section at your favorite store, do a little homework. Consider what kind of coffee you prefer, how often you drink coffee, how much space you have for a coffee maker, how much you can afford to spend on a coffee maker. These are the issues involved in deciding whether to purchase an espresso or a non-espresso coffee maker.

Buying a Coffee Maker: Espresso or No Espresso

Espresso coffee makers are complex. They cost more than other coffee makers (some cost thousands of dollars) and make a variety of coffee types including cappuccino and lattes. Espresso machines often make only one cup of coffee at a time and require cleaning after each cup. The coffee is stronger than that brewed by other means.

True coffee aficionados often prefer to use the espresso coffee maker, especially the super automated models that do everything from grinding the coffee to pouring it into the cup.

Typical coffee drinkers who prefer to have a pot of coffee available at all times and aren't interested in lattes or other versions of coffee tend to prefer non-espresso coffee makers. Non-espresso coffee makers work well for people who like to start the coffee brewing and go on about their usual activities while it brews. They buy coffee already ground and don't bother with beans or grinding.

For coffee drinkers needing large quantities of coffee, non-espresso is the way to go. Large percolator type coffee urns can be used to make more than a hundred cups of coffee at one time.

They also prefer returning to the coffee pot time after time and refilling their coffee cup over making only a cup at a time. Non-espresso type coffee makers are much less expensive than espresso machines.

Buying a Coffee Maker: Non-Espresso

These coffee makers are available in drip, French press and combination models. Drip machines often make 6 to 10 cups of coffee at a time. For those who need a lesser quantity, it's better to buy a model that makes 4 cups (or less) at a time. Drip coffee makers are inexpensive and easy to use.

There are pod coffee makers available which use single serving pods to brew coffee. Pod coffee makers can be inexpensive but the coffee itself costs more than standard cans of pre-ground coffee.
French Press coffee makers are great for a few cups of coffee at a time. Combination coffee makes featuring both espresso and non-espresso coffee makers in one machine are also available. These machines give coffee drinkers the best of both worlds.

Buying a Coffee Maker: Espresso

Espresso coffee makers come in semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic models. These machines make fewer cups at a time and may require more time and attention that a standard drip coffee maker.

The more automated an espresso coffee maker is, the more features it will offer. Some take care of everything from grinding the coffee beans to filling the cup with coffee and ejecting the used coffee grounds.

The more features the espresso coffee maker offers, the higher the price tag attached to it. These coffee makers can cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

The first decision to be made in choosing a coffee maker is the need to determine whether an espresso coffee maker or a non-espresso coffee maker is needed. Coffee preferences, budget and quantity of coffee to be made are factors that affect the decision making process.

Coffee Makers - Where to Find a Good Model

Every day millions of people drink coffee. They drink it with breakfast, lunch, and sometimes even after dinner. Many people drink coffee at their job, as they feel it keeps them awake, alert, and more productive. Coffee makers can make a single cup to gallons of coffee, but all generally do one thing. Make coffee. You might wonder where to find a coffee maker that is just right for you. There are many places either near you or on line where you can find a coffee maker.

If you ask most people where to find a coffee maker, they will tell you to go to a local retail store. This is usually a good idea because at a retail store they will usually have entire aisles dedicated to various coffee makers. This helps a great deal as you can compare all the options that the various machines have to offer. You will find coffee makers that make a single cup, eight cups, or even as many as twelve cups at a time. Some will make even more but you usually have to order those. Coffee makers are available in many different styles and colors so you should be able to find one that will match your other kitchen appliances.

If you want to make the best purchase possible, you might want to read some reviews. The Internet has thousands of places that are dedicated solely to coffee makers. Many of these have very thorough reviews by many different people. It can be very beneficial to read reviews on coffee makers before you buy them so you know what you are looking for when you go to the store. Nothing can give you a feel for a new coffee maker than knowing what other people's experiences are with that product.

The Internet is also a great place to purchase coffee makers. There are many websites and on line stores that specialize in coffee makers and can give you some amazing deals. A common place to find a run of the mill coffee maker is a site that sells overstocked goods at discounted prices. There are many of these sites so you can search around and find one you like. You can save up to 75% if you look around carefully. Auction sites can also be a good place to look. Not everything up for auction is used and you can find many deals there. Some websites are promoted by a particular brand and for one price, they will send you a coffee maker and enroll you in some type of coffee club. This usually is a new coffee every month at a reasonable price. If you want to experiment, that might be a good choice.

The most important factor in buying a coffee maker is you. What do you want your coffee maker to do? How many people will it be serving? How much am I willing to pay? These are the most important questions you should ask yourself before buying a coffee maker. If you take your time and choose based on your needs, you will find the one you are looking for.